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English to English translations [PRO]
Bus/Financial - Insurance | | English term or phrase: to take out a policy | This is a UK/US English question, aimed at native speakers of US English:
In UK English, when we sign an insurance agreement for insurance cover, the most common expression used is to 'take out a policy'. Although I am familiar with many US expressions and equivalents, I am really not sure about this term and can't imagine a native US English speaker saying: "have you taken out an insurance policy to cover this risk?" - although I could be wrong. What would an American usually say in this context?
I am checking on this for the purposes of a French to English translation of the term 'souscrire', which as you may know means, literally, 'to subscribe' (sign up for, enter into an agreement in connection with, etc.). |
|  French2EnglishKudoZ activityQuestions: 1480 ( 11 open) ( 7 without valid answers) ( 17 closed without grading) Answers: 116
United Kingdom
| | Local time: 02:13
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| | informal but acceptable for enter into a contract for insurance coverage | Explanation:
Americans always think in terms of "buying" insurance. To "take out an insurance policy is the same as "enter into a contract for."
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Note added at 36 mins (2011-11-24 12:27:27 GMT)
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This afternoon I'll try to find some examples of legal documents. My only doubt concerns whether in US English some reference needs to made that it is in force. I'm thinking that someone could always sign a contract, fail to pay the amount due, and therefore not be insured. - As the world is full of people who do such things, I'm wondering if the US version is a bit different. Perhaps their is someone out there who has done extensive work in US insurance who could verify if this will hold up. In terms of the expression, yes it is used widely in the US.
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Note added at 2 hrs (2011-11-24 14:30:27 GMT)
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I've tried to find a sworn statement/declaration about insurance coverage in Internet without success; however, in general guidelines provided in documents such as tender announcements, "take out a policy" or "prove that one has taken out a policy" is commonly used. If your document is similar, you should have no problem using that wording. It's always good to check. Here in Spain I deal with British style/expressions (not to mentioned "EU English) so often that I've learned to check in order to be sure that a given expression is current in one place or the other. I sometimes get a laugh out of http://britishisms.wordpress.com/. It's a blog that incorporates a readers' poll regarding US /UK acceptance and usage of various British terms and expressions. Today's word is "larky". I hope this has been of some help. |
| Selected response from:
 Jenni Lukac
Local time: 03:13
| Grading comment Despite the agreement level on the other answer, this was the first answer and it actually answered my question that the term in question is widely used in the US, which was what I needed to know.
4 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer |
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| Discussion entries: 0 |
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Automatic update in 00:
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18 mins confidence:  peer agreement (net): +5 take out an insurance policy
Explanation:
take out an insurance policy
| oraki
Local time: 05:43
Native speaker of:  Farsi (Persian)
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The translation workplace 
